For some travelers, the worst part of the vacation nightmare is not the flight delay or the weather. It’s the crowds. The crowded viewpoints, noisy restaurants, and long queues can suck the joy right out of even the most beautiful places. This frustration is fueling a growing trend called quiet-first travel (quietcations). These trips focus on peace, room to breathe, and taking life at a slower pace, instead of constant activity or excitement.
Quietcation is based on locations that offer quiet as part of the experience, rather than something that must be sought. As more and more travel writers and experts are pointing out, there are many people traveling to locations that help to reduce their stress levels instead of increasing their adrenaline. The goal is simple: go where you can relax, move at your own pace, and enjoy the landscape without constant background noise. And these five destinations offer exactly that.
1. Great Basin National Park, Nevada
Remote and vastly undervisited, Great Basin is home to alpine lakes, ancient bristlecone pine trees, limestone caves, and some of the darkest night skies in the US. There are no resorts or popular gateway towns here; instead, you have peaceful trails and open roads. This is the perfect destination for travelers who want to experience nature but do not want to deal with the crowds that come with popular destinations like Yosemite or Zion.
2. Congaree National Park, South Carolina
Congaree is easily passed by, but it is the guardian of one of the last remaining old growth bottomland hardwood forests in the United States. Instead of spectacular views, the experience at Congaree is understated and immersive. Boardwalks meander through the tall trees, and canoe trails flow across the blackwater creeks. The sounds are those of birds, wind, and water.
3. Steens Mountain, Oregon
Steens Mountain rises suddenly out of an otherwise empty landscape in Oregon’s high desert. The area is vast and serene with glacial gorges, open basins, and places where you might not see another vehicle for miles. There is a seasonal scenic road with access to spectacular views without the crowds.
4. Moloka‘i, Hawaii
Moloka‘i is another island in Hawaii that offers an authentic Hawaii experience that is becoming rarer and rarer. There are no high-rise hotels, no nightlife, and no tourism infrastructure. What is emphasized is the empty beaches, local food, and early nights. Visitors are expected to slow down and appreciate the community and the fact that they are doing less.
5. Schoodic Peninsula, Maine
While the Schoodic Peninsula is part of Acadia National Park, it is nowhere near the most popular areas. What it offers is the same beauty without the crowds. There are quiet roads, a bike path along the coast, and short hiking trails that allow one to experience the beauty of Maine without the crowds found in the popular areas of Bar Harbor.
For travelers who dislike crowds, there is still peace to be found. With careful planning and a willingness to think beyond the popular names, there are destinations that offer something increasingly rare in modern travel: space, silence, and the ability to unwind.
Sources:
Backroad Planet – “8 Offbeat Destinations to Discover in 2026 Before the Crowds Catch On,” 17 Jan 2026.
Unwind Luxury Vacations – “Off the Beaten Path: The Best Under‑the‑Radar Destinations,” 22 Apr 2025.
Unwind Luxury Vacations – “Off the Beaten Path: The Best Under‑the‑Radar Destinations,” 22 Apr 2025.
Lonely Planet – “12 Off‑the‑Grid Vacation Spots to Unplug in the USA,” 30 Dec 2024.
BuzzFeed – “Top Hidden Travel Gems Revealed By Seasoned Explorers,” 25 Jan 2026.
Inspiring Travel – “Shoulder Season Secrets: Holidays for Avoiding the Crowds,” 31 Dec 2024.
Exodus Travels – “Shoulder Season Travel: Your Guide to Crowd‑Free Trips,” 10 Aug 2025.
Travel With A Pen – “12 Shoulder Season Ideas: The Best Places to Visit Each Month,” 25 Dec 2025.